Bear Creek Greenway July 2018 Newsletter FOUNDATION Meet Board Member Shana Thomas Roxy Ann I grew up in a family where spending time outdoors was just the norm. We would camp and hike year round, and I developed a deep appreciation for green spaces. I continue On the Central Point Section of the Greenway Trail at this lifestyle today with my own children, fostering in them the same love for the outdoors. Mile 24 looking to the southeast, you’ll see a prominent, My family and I moved to the Rogue Valley in the summer of 2015 for my job at a co-op cone-shaped peak called “Roxy Ann” (elevation 3,756 where my personal and professional passions align. We were ecstatic at the opportunity feet). The upland Takelma (or Latgawa) Indians that lived to live so close to rivers, mountains, and trees. We often refer to our family as “the circus,” in the Table Rock/Central Point area called this mountain raising three rambunctious daughters, and we couldn’t wait for the outdoor adventures that “Alwiya.” They gathered acorns and hunted deer on its would ensue. Shortly after we arrived in Medford, our youngest daughter was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and Acute Flaccid Paralysis, a neuro-muscular condition with an slopes. The Rogue Valley’s first Euro-American settlers unknown prognosis. Once we wrapped our heads around our new reality of life with a dubbed the peak “Skinner’s Butte” for Alonzo A. Skinner special needs child, we made a commitment to continue to prioritize outdoor experiences (whose log cabin, the first settler’s house in the valley, as a family. We seek solace in our local outdoor spaces, we are reenergized after a day sat somewhere within about a mile from this location). spent on the trail, and we continue to adapt to our new normal. Skinner served as the Rogue Valley’s first Indian Agent in I view the Bear Creek Greenway as a treasure in the Rogue Valley. It is a place where the early 1850s and later became a county judge. I have seen commuters on their way to work, families teaching their kids how to ride bikes, even local roller derby teams practicing their skills. I have had the opportunity to The origins of the name “Roxy Ann” are uncertain. participate in stewardship projects and cleanups along the greenway, witnessing community Although at least three different stories have been handed members taking ownership of our public spaces to make them enjoyable for all. I am proud down, all of them agree that the name honors an early to be on the board of the Bear Creek Greenway Foundation, for I wholeheartedly believe woman settler. But which one? Roxana Baker? Ann that the Bear Creek Greenway is a tremendous asset in our community. Taylor? Roxy Ann (McKee) Bowen? Most local historians Greenway Update July 2018 believe that Roxy Ann Bowen is the mountain’s true name- sake. She and her husband, John settled on a Donation During this hot and dry (and now smoky month), work crews have continued to work on Land Claim in the vicinity of the present Rogue Valley vegetation removal and cutting along the sides of the path. As you know, Jackson County Medical Center near the lower slopes of Roxy Ann Peak. and its partners have placed an emphasis on removing vegetation along the path this past year. With recent fires that have occurred on the Greenway, we are continuing this effort to reduce fuel loads immediately adjacent to the path to help prevent fires from starting Roxy Ann’s conical profile leads some people to assume and if started to reduce fuel load. Fire precaution levels are now at Extreme which limits the peak is a volcano, but is that really the case? Although the amount of work we can do for the remainder of the summer. As such, we will be doing the upper slopes are indeed composed Of 30 million- our best to concentrate on areas where we can make progress without using motorized year-old basalt (a lava that may have flowed here from equipment. many miles away), its lower slopes expose sandstones I have been working closely with the Jackson County Sheriff’s doing extra homeless camp and other sedimentary rocks of the even older Payne Cliffs patrol and cleanup. Because of the fires on the Greenway, we did a big sweep on July Formation. Roxy Ann’s shape was formed by gradual 25th from Pine Street to Dean Creek in Central Point. County Parks and the Sheriff’s uplift and erosion of these different rock layers. It is not Department wants extra patrol so we can reduce the risk of any wildfire during the busy a volcano. However, geologists do consider Roxy Ann’s Country Crossings Festival. I will continue to work with Law Enforcement on these issues for summit to be a part Of the Western Cascades, the early the remainder of the fire season to help with any potential fires on the Greenway. volcanic development in southern Oregon that preceded Andrew Austill the build-up of the High Cascades by millions of years. Jackson County Parks Dept Passports Now Available For Purchase The City of Medford’s Prescott Park (over 1,700 acres) includes much of Roxy Ann. It offers hiking, biking, bird The Greenway Passport offers big savings with discounts in local restaurants, hotels and watching and botanizing. One day it will be linked to the activity businesses. Businesses include Rogue Rock Gym, Ostras Tapas Bar and Lithia Bear Creek Greenway by the Larson Creek Trail. Springs Resort. 100% of the Passport sales go to the Bear Creek Greenway Foundation to help with the maintenance and extension of the trail! The Greenway Passport can be purchased on the Bear Creek Greenway website bearcreekgreenway.com for a tax deductible $50. Buy your passport today and support the Greenway! Bear Creek Greenway Foundation, P.O. Box 4561, Medford, OR 97501 www.bearcreekgreenway.com email: [email protected].